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This made my week. Seriously.

Just started watching Higurashi no Nako Koro Ni (When They Cry) and I am completely lost.

NOTE: I know that this shit is based off a video game. I get that the story essentially repeats but with alternate outcomes. YES, I tried reading the manga and it was even MORE confusing than the anime.

In four episodes, they tossed around way too many names, events, and such that it was hard to really understand who/what they were talking about. I also don't get the point of the story or where it's heading. I mean, I like the blood and the idea of small children hacking each other to bits, but still-

ANYWAY, outside of the confusion, I've mostly made up my mind about the series itself:

-The horror aspect was really cliched, but I'm interested enough to want to at least finish the series since FUNI is posting the dub free online. We've been seeing the creepy little girl trope since before The Exorcist and the 'haunted' village is as old as the friggin BIBLE.

-None of the characters are likeable...at all. Not even the male lead who you are supposed to feel scared for as all these girls try to kill him. It seems that most of them fit the sterotypes for other manga series (The cute/quiet Loli with HUGE hair for her body, the annoying loli who acts like a little sister to the main lead, the older spunky girl with big boobs who bosses around the main character, then the shrill voiced sorta love interest who is both stupid and follows the guy around like a puppy. The male lead is just your 'average guy' caught in the middle of this weirdness.)

-Animation...it's fluid, but terribly simplistic for anime. All of the characters look alike outside of their hairstyles. I get that lots of anime are like that now to save money, but it really takes away from the supposed seriousness of the plot. Personally, I think it's funny that the girl (Rena?) has the SAME hairstyle as the teacher in their school, only the teacher's hair is blue. That must have been REALLY confusing in the manga.

-Developments crop up in really obvious ways. There is no subtly at all. I mean COME on...if we can see that EVERYONE is lying to this guy then how can he not see it? And how come he still talks to these girls after they threaten to kill him and walk behind him carrying hatchets? No person is that stupid.

Overall, the series has three saving graces for me:

1: I'm so confused that I want to finish it in the hope of figuring out what the fuck is happening.
2: The opening theme is amazing. Downloaded it this morning. [link]
3: That it's better than the manga.

I want to DO Tim Curry's voice.

Yes, just his voice XD

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I am going to have to kill everyone now.

NOTE: I have read and carefully regarded all comments to my last journal...unfortunately, I have no idea how to respond. Thank you all for your advice and I'm sorry

I stumbled across an LJ topic a few minutes ago that read: If you were to publish a book (regardless of genre) what do you want out of it?

Here are most people's responses:
-Inspire other writers
-To make money off of doing something they love
-Become famous
-Make a franchise (I.E. Action figures, posters, the whole enchilada)
-Nothing

Anyway, both the question and the various answers got me thinking about what I would want if I was ever published, whether it was next week or in 50 years. To be honest...I have no idea what I would want

I don't even think I have the right to concentrate on the aftermath of a book...all my energy needs to be going into just writing the goddamn thing. Heaven knows I've been a lazy procrastinator. I mean sure, it would be awesome to have people inspired by my characters and whatnot, but really...given that I barely have three chapters that I'm happy with under my belt (Needless to say, they still need a SHITTON of editing and I have to do a lot of research into the Russian military, weaponry, nuclear physics, and international politics...T-T) I don't feel like I can dream of the future.

Anyway, what are everyone else's thoughts on this? I just want to see how many like-minded friends and watchers I've got. If your opinion differs, please share!